Elanora home destroyed by fire

Coal mines losing money

One third of Queensland's coal mines are running at a loss and in urgent need of state government assistance, according to the Queensland Resources Council.

The Queensland Resources Council will ask the premier for a range of emergency relief measures, after commissioning a study that paints a bleak picture for the coal industry.

The report, by mining sector analysts Wood Mackenzie, found a third of Queensland coalmines were running at a loss, and more than half of the mines producing thermal coal for power stations were in the same position.